Inspecting Commercial HVAC Systems Course Student Forum

Research & Writing Assignment:

A maze of duct work for return and supply air can be difficult to figure out on a large scale setting. Determining air flow direction, possible unwanted air loss, corrosion due to excessive moisture, proper supports, air flow restrictions, proper distribution should all be examined by qualified professionals during a building inspection.

Inspection & Writing Assignment:

This photograph shows a light commercial building with a shop section in the rear and an office section on the front. A smaller building of this size could be inspected by a single qualified inspector, but a larger building would require the use of 3rd-party specialists,with the inspector acting as a facilitator. Some of the things the inspector would want to look for on the exterior of this building are safety / trip hazards in the parking area and on the sidewalks, placement and condition of exterior lighting, condition of the siding and doors, windows, etc. The inspector would thoroughly document any issues or problems with good notes and lots of photographs.

Research & Writing Assignment:

Building permits - Although the professional inspector does not perform a code inspection, he or she should have a good working knowledge of how and where building permits are obtained. On a commercial inspection, the permit research might be done by a third-party, but the inspector should confirm that all relevant documentation has been obtained, and include it as part of the final inspection report. Failing to do so could leave the inspector open to liability.

Inspection & Writing Assignment:

The air handler unit shown in the image has a damaged filter installed also has visible gaps around edges of filter allowing unfiltered air to enter the unit. Having a damaged or over sized filter could possibly harm the unit over time also ending in costly repairs.

Research & Writing Assignment:

During my research of commercial property inspecting i have found that commercial and residential inspections are very different. The Commercial client targets the investment aspect of the property and the generated income possibilities. As a commercial inspector the majority of the inspectors time is collecting reports from various other sub contractors reports to put together one report for the client to have for negotiations in buying property.

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Research & Writing Assignment:

Vermiculite is a type of insulation that was used in homes until the early 1990s. The EPA banned its use due to its contamination with highly toxic form of Asbestos. As over 70% of all vermiculite produced contains asbestos, its safe to assume that all vermiculite is toxic.

Inspection & Writing Assignment:

Vermiculite is a type of insulation that was used in homes until the early 1990s. The EPA banned its use due to its contamination with highly toxic form of Asbestos. As over 70% of all vermiculite produced contains asbestos, its safe to assume that all vermiculite is toxic.

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Inspection & Writing Assignment:

The duct work in this coffee shop appears in good condition. All portions appear to be adequately secured and supported. Two individual sets of ductwork observed may indicate at least two systems are installed. I do not see returns for both systems. I would inspect further to document the location of both returns.

Research & Writing Assignment:

In reviewing the photo for commercial inspection 18, I can see at least four AC system condenser sections. Each has its own means of disconnect. I would inspect for proper location labeling if applicable. There is also an active ventilation fan to the right of the AC equipment.

Inspection & Writing Assignment:

My photo depicts a series of supply and return piping from a commercial boiler on a military base.The supply lines typically have the in-line pumps to “pump away” from the boiler with an expansion tank behind the pumps. In Hydronic or Boiler applications installing the expansion tank behind the pump creates what is known as the point of no pressure change. Vs. say a solar thermal heating system where the expansion tank is between the solar array and the pump where the expansion tank acts as a steam blow back as a safety feature.

Research & Writing Assignment:

Heating a commercial building with a boiler typically includes a air handler and ducting piping hot water through duct coils while air passes over the coil and to the registers.
The air blowing past the coil removes the heat from the coil and the cooler water is returned to the boiler to be reheated. The process is simular with chillers where refrigerant is used for the comfort/energy medium.

Inspection & Writing Assignment:

Commercial hvac inspections differ from home HVAC inspections in some ways. In the attached picture, an open duct in a crawl space of a home. This is a potential problem for indoor air quality of the home or a commercial site.
On a commercial inspection, clearly the scale of the inspection is different. One must carefully plan the details before engaging in a commercial inspection.
The commercial inspector is not a qualified specialist when it comes to some systems at a commercial or industrial site. This will differ upon one’s background experience. Therefore, it is critical to create a clear scope of work in your commercial inspection agreement, this is not home inspection.
If necessary, the inspector would assemble a team of specialists to assist on the commercial inspection and he would act as a facilitator on the inspection. The inspector would coordinate the inspection, handle all documentation and when complete, release the data in an organized inspection report based on the assembled team’s findings and the agreed scope of work.
Although the concept remains the same as a home inspection, commercial inspections require more planning and customization than a home inspection. The commercial inspection is different than a home inspection in some ways.

Research & Writing Assignment:

The Illustration Gallery depicts a rendering of metal ducting.
An element of HVAC systems that apply to many forced air commercial and residential systems.
An inspector can visually inspect ducting on either site type using the same principles, however sometimes ducting will be concealed beneath ceiling tiles of commercial sites, so be sure to have a ladder capable of reaching the appropriate height and the knowledge to safely use it and access at least a representative portion to learn more about the building.
Although the scale and method of access is different,commercial and residential forced air ducting can be inspected in the same way.

Inspection & Writing Assignment:

This compressor is a 500hp screw compressor manufactured by Frick. The operation of the compressor is controlled and monitored by a computer system put together by Mystic and allows technicians ease of access to all of the system functions and operational data. This compressor is used in a system in conjunction with 3 other compressors like it where the refrigerant being used is 127,000 lbs of anhydrous ammonia.

Research & Writing Assignment:

The article I read talked about the different types of heating systems and how to identify them by recognizing the fuel used, medium used to transfer the heat, and the efficiency of the heating system. Warm air, steam, water, and electric systems are all different types of heating systems that can use natural or LP gas, wood, coal, or electricity as their fuel.

Inspection & Writing Assignment:

This is a ductless heat pump which has been installed in an older home that did not have a forced air furnace and no cooling. The evaporation and condenser lines are in good shape and the unit is operational using the normal controls.

Research & Writing Assignment:

I chose the air distribution system picture found under HVAC. The illustration shows a balanced system with return air and supply air vents. In the case of a gas furnace then combustion air would also be necessary in adequate amounts.

Inspection & Writing Assignment:

A back corner of a single family dwelling on two city lots. immediately notice several large cottonwood stumps in the front and rear of home. all trees had been removed but all within 15’ of the 104 year old foundation. Inside the basement was exactly what was expected, 3 of 4 walls show catastrophic failure. Vertical, diagonal, horizontal cracks, 2" bellies bulging in, water damage everywhere. house also missing downspout extensions and the lot has negative slope on all sides.